Meal Prep can be Fun!

Hi there! When I first started learning how to eat intuitively I didn’t know if I “should meal prep.” I thought it was a very diet-y thing to do, and might make me feel restricted which could lead to a binge.

Throughout my journey, and my clients (check out my Finding Balance Program here if you’re interested), I have found that meal prep is suuuper beneficial. Today I’ll share some of my tips on how to keep it from feeling restrictive, and how to make it an awesome experience:

Doesn’t matter what day you do it!

It doesn’t have to be Sunday, and it can be multiple times a week. I’m usually a Sunday and Wednesday night kind of girl. If you’re feeling like you’ve “got to do it on a day when everyone else does,” it can start to feel like a strict rule. When’s the natural time in your schedule? When do you like to go grocery shopping? Make this work for YOU!

Make it FUN!

Turn on music or a podcast, set out some fresh flowers, light a candle, make yourself a fun drink, whatever! Make this a moment for some self-love, okay? This isn’t a chore… it’s a fun date with yourself (unless you get family members involved too)!

Prep things you LIKE and look forward to eating!

Seems simple right?! It’s not always, though! Meal prep isn’t for chopping up and getting things ready that you think you “should eat.” It’s for getting things that you love and make you feel great ready in a convenient way so life throughout the week is EASIER & less stressful! *I often like to chop up and get all the ingredients for a meal I’ll be cooking ready ahead of time so when it comes to the day I want to make it, all I have to do is put it together without all the extra steps! So nice.*

Make a meal – eat twice!

I learned this from my friend Paige over at @healthyhitsthespot . When you go out to eat, or cook something ~ let it last for you by eating twice off of it! This normally helps your belly feel great after the meal, and it almost seems like more bang for your buck! I love doing this with Chipotle. Sometimes I get 3 lunches out of one burrito bowl! (Score!)

Be realistic! Will you eat that amount of food?!

This takes trial and error. I always hate throwing away food that’s gone bad so I’m always checking in to see if my fiance’ and I will reeeally eat as much as I’m getting. That’s typically why I do 2 smaller meal preps during the week. I know I’m less likely to over-buy food and let it go to waste.

What foods you binge or overeat on?

Make sure you INCLUDE these in your meal prep! It helps you practice allowing these foods, letting them become normal for you, and get rid of the urgency to binge on them. If they aren’t allowed, you’re more likely to overeat when they’re around.

Don’t want to waste a ton of time meal prepping?

Time yourself! Give yourself a set time and see if you can get it all done in that amount! Put your phone and other distractions away so you can just get down to business, and get out! 🙂

Eat beforehand!

I hate to meal prep hungry because then I end up grazing as I’m walking around chopping and cooking. I feel “blah” after I do this, so I’ve found it helpful to eat before and then wait until I’m hungry again later to sit down and truly enjoy my food.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and in no way am trying to replace one with my thoughts or suggestions. By reading and considering my advice please know that I only share what I think is best through my past experiences, research, data collection, client experiences, and health coaching certification. At this time, I work with women who want more peace when it comes to food (instead of yo-yo dieting). I do not work with women with eating disorders and recommend seeking a doctor or therapist.

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About Eat Work Play Balanced

Abby is a certified health coach who knows how difficult it can be to get out of the diet cycle and mindset. On the Eat Work Play Balanced blog you'll find tips, strategies, and info that can help you transform your relationship with food to find balance! *Disclaimer-I am not a doctor, and do not treat or diagnose women with eating disorders.